So you've decided to look at alpacas and determine if raising them is something you would like to do.

There
are many different avenues one can take to reach to the end of the
'Getting Started' phase; this is just one of them. These sets of tasks
are for anybody, any region of the United States, or the planet for that
matter!

1. Contact Professional Organizations!

1A. Alpaca Owners Association, Inc. (AOA) and get on their contact list.

If
you look at the web site you will get additional information regarding
membership as well. You don't have to own alpacas to join AOA. In
addition this also allows other AOA members to send you important
information regarding events and sales information.

1B.
Contact the Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies (ABR) to join with other
regional professional, find out local events and informational
opportunities.

Although
AOA also has an annual national conference (actually two of them) ABR
and other regional affiliates also have regional events, newsletters,
etc. Find your local affiliate and get on their mailing list for their
newsletter, membership directory, event promotions, seminars and
workshops, and other marketing events. Through ABR, you can also get
names of breeders in your area.

2.
What next? With a list of local alpaca breeders in hand, contact them
and schedule a visit. Take a weekend and travel around. You may have
to call to get directions. In ABR's directory, you'll find maps (Yes
maps!) to the farm members.

You
will need: a camera and a couple rolls of film (or digital), pad and
pencil or pen and driving instructions. From here, you’re on your own!
Ask questions, lots of questions about all those little things that
you’ve been anxious to know. Take some camera shots of the fencing,
facilities, drinking water devices, feeding areas and, of course, the
alpacas. It'll be hard not to get the alpacas in the viewing lens while
taking pictures of all the other things.

Write down most everything. If you forget, get the breeders business card so you can call later to fill in the blanks.

You'll
find many breeders have many different ways of raising these glorious
creatures. Approaches may be related to their available acreage,
facilities and surrounding area. From the many breeder visits you'll
find out what you are capable of doing, what you have to build (or tear
down), what alpacas eat and don't eat, the minerals you'll need for your
area, and where to get them and so on.

3. And now? Relax for a week and do number 2 again.
While you’re at it, you can join a group dedicated to alpacas on
Facebook. There are several to choose from. Some are closed groups and
require permission to join. Breeders you visit with can give you more
information on internet sites that might interest you.

Watch your mail for announcements of local alpaca events.

If
you're getting serious, contact ABR and AOA and join as an Associate
member. With that you'll get the ‘Paca Parade and Alpacas Magazine,
both of which are a wealth of information to all breeders and potential
owners.
Volunteer to help with the shows, events, etc. The people you meet will help you along your way.

4. Have you been looking at the alpacas too?
There are many ways to start out. First of all, they require the
company of their own kind, i.e. you need at least two to begin with.
Of course, you can purchase one alpaca and board it with a herd of other alpacas.

So what do you look at? Two males, two females, a male and a female, pregnant females, breeding males.... or board a single?

If
you plan on breeding female(s), eventually you're going to have crias
running around and if you have only one pen for them to do that, it may
not be wise to have a breeding male in the same pasture. Eventually the
male is going to want to breed the cria (assuming your going to have a
female cria) and that is not good for the first 14-18 months of her
life.
Can you have one male and one female (with cria maybe) in adjoining
pastures? Well yes, but it may depend upon the personality of the
alpacas too. Ask the breeder.

The
ultimate (minimum) adventure is to start out with two pregnant females,
both females are unrelated as well as their unborn crias. The long term
advantages are obvious.

It's
time to start some marketing. Have you been thinking of a farm/ranch
name? You need a logo, business cards, maybe stationary too. You may
need some other forms from your state to register your business name,
tax forms, etc. Contact a local breeder for information about these and
other related items, more than likely they have already done this and
can help you on your way.

5.
Ok, you've got alpacas or they are on their way! When you have something
to market, either breedings or sales, join ABR and AOA as a farm
member. Get involved!

(Actually
it might be better if you join the organizations even if you don't have
anything to market. Getting your name and logo out there and visible
to the alpaca community will help you later when you do have something
to market.)

According
to an AOA questionnaire some years ago, it took on the average of two
years after folks learned about alpacas before they purchased. That's
an average, some may wait for 3 years and yet others purchase a month
after they see them.

It
is helpful if you learn about the animal before you purchase, on the
other hand, you can purchase and board the alpacas and let someone else
take care of them while you get educated.

Any
way you own these creatures, it's an adventure. It's an adventure in a
lifestyle, a profitable business, and an investment in your future.